Coach Cady to run for Board of Education
Malibu resident and Samo running coach of 35 years, Patrick Cady, announced his intentions to run for the SMMUSD Board of Education in the upcoming elections. Cady is the first candidate from Malibu to run in two years and if elected will be the first representative from Malibu since 2008.“I have taught for 35 years and sometimes in those years I’ve said to myself and others, I can do this better,” Cady said.Before his time as a coach, Cady taught math, history, P.E. and English at Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH) for eight years. He then went on to teach math and AP U.S. History at Samo before retiring as a teacher in June 2008. However, he continues to be a part of the Samo community to this day by volunteering as a coach. He is currently coaching the cross-country team and will coach long-distance track in the spring.Cady believes himself to be well-grounded in both the Santa Monica and Malibu communities, having lived in Malibu and taught in Santa Monica for 35 years. Cady says he will be a larger part of the school district if he is elected onto the board; however, he is hopeful that it will not interfere with coaching his team and continuing to be actively involved in his runners’ lives.“Coach Cady is very good at making time and has a clear sense of priorities,” girls’ cross-country captain, Amanda Botfield, said.She strongly trusts that if he is elected, Cady will easily be able to balance his time between Samo and the school board.“Pat Cady is well prioritized and has a really balanced life of family, work and civil envolvement,” Samo biology teacher and running coach, Matt Mabrey, said.If elected onto the board, Cady believes he can help teachers and parents fix problems within their schools, and within the entire district.“The most important thing I can bring to the board is a sense of community and family. Hopefully that makes the district a better place,” Cady said.Cady would like to see the two separated communities of Santa Monica and Malibu come together as an actual “unified” school district.“I can help bring them together. I can make people in Malibu feel that they are listened to, that their concerns are appreciated and that they are not just something hanging onto the tail of Santa Monica.”Eloise GrahamStaff Writer